An organized cull could be coming for deer in the Town of Yarmouth.

A town committee says they’ve spent a year and a half researching the best methods to control the population.

Signs are up around town, warning of fines if you feed the wild animals.

Councillor and committee chair Gil Dares says the town has been overpopulated with deer for a number of years.

“At this point, reduction of the size of the herd is paramount to success. We’re looking at what we would consider to be is an organized and controlled hunt, or cull,” said Dares.

Dares says it’s a select number of animals that would be removed and the plan would follow a similar method used in Truro.

The cull could expand outside town limits, including the airport stretch.

He adds, it’s an undesirable position to be in.

“There’s very little appetite for simply killing animals, but I know the circumstances will dictate that we do it in the most humane fashion possible. I know we’ll also do it with the view in mind that the animal will be put to good use.”

Dares says the food bank would accept deer meat, and the province would collect the jawbones for research.

He adds that the group has exhausted all options including contraceptives, but there are no proven effective methods.

The recommendation from the deer management working group was approved by Yarmouth town council, and has been sent to the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables for approval.